Summary:
Zip code 71854 in Texarkana, Arkansas, is home to two high schools—Arkansas High School and Genoa Central High School—serving grades 9-12, and these schools present a stark contrast in performance and resources within the same area.
Genoa Central High School is the standout school, earning a 5-star rating and ranking in the 95th percentile statewide. It consistently outperforms the state average in English Language Arts (47.8% proficient vs. 39.4%) and Reading (51.1% vs. 40.4%), and boasts a very low dropout rate of 0.3%. In contrast, Arkansas High School is a 1-star school ranking in the 20th percentile, with a 100% free/reduced lunch rate indicating high economic need. Despite spending $3,697 more per student ($15,794 vs. $12,097), Arkansas High School lags significantly in academics, with only 6.2% of students proficient in Algebra compared to the state average of 36.9%. The Genoa Central School District ranks 12th out of 251 districts, while the Texarkana School District ranks 202nd, highlighting a wide gap in district performance.
A key takeaway is that funding alone does not guarantee success, as Arkansas High School’s higher spending does not translate to better outcomes. The severe "Algebra gap" at Arkansas High School is a critical red flag for future STEM opportunities. Additionally, grade-level anomalies at Arkansas High School—such as 9th graders scoring 41% proficient in Geometry versus 10th graders at 10%—suggest possible differences in curriculum or teaching effectiveness. Overall, Genoa Central’s consistent excellence and low student-teacher ratio of 6:1 make it the top choice in this zip code, while Arkansas High School faces deep challenges tied to socioeconomic factors.
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